Voluntary Services Specialist

The Voluntary Service Specialisthas responsibilities related to the full scope of business for each of the core business lines which include Voluntary Service, Philanthropic Engagement, and Partnership Solutions. Incumbent shows an understanding of the federal government, VA and each of its Administrations, with a primary focus on VHA; including relevant laws, regulations, policies and procedures, accrediting organizations, as well as the organizations within the agency.

Qualifications:

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 06/09/2026.

Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-07 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-05, for a GS-09 position you must have served 52 weeks as the GS-07, and for a GS-11 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-09. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade.

You may qualify at the GS-07 grade level based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience: You must have one (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-05 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: experience working for a company, organization, or department specializing in volunteer and/or philanthropic activities; communicating with individuals and groups in a community; performing technical program development for a specialized program; performing record keeping and recognition of a volunteer and/or philanthropic program; and applying a high level of expertise in identifying special skills and attitudes necessary for sensitive assignments. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed one (1) full year of graduate level education that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Superior Academic Achievement (SAA): Applicants may meet the qualification requirements for this position using SAA. To qualify you must have completed all the requirements for a bachelor's degree in a curriculum that is qualifying (i.e. hospital administration, public health administration, or related fields such as course work in health care administration) for the position to be filled and I meet one of the following:
  - Rank in the upper one-third of your class in the college, university or major subdivision.
  - A grade-point average of "B" (a GPA of 2.95 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all completed undergraduate courses, or those completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
  - A grade point average of "B " (a GPA of 3.45 or higher out of a possible 4.0) for all courses in your major field of study, or those courses in your major completed in the last two years of undergraduate study.
  - Membership in a national honor society (other than freshman honor societies) recognized by the Association of College Honor Societies. For a list of recognized honor societies please visit http://www.achsnatl.org/quick_link.asp.
  NOTE: Copies of transcripts must be submitted with your application materials. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education beyond a bachelor's degree may be used to qualify for the GS-07 level.

You may qualify at the GS-09 grade level based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience GS-09: You must have one (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-07 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: planning, supervising, and coordinating volunteers of a volunteer program; evaluating and monitoring the effectiveness of a specialized program and devising new methods for improvement; effectively recruiting, interviewing, and evaluating prospective employees/volunteers in order to appropriately utilize their talents and interests; utilizing interpersonal communication skill to foster effective working relationships with others; and familiar with a wide variety of principles and practices to evaluate program trends. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed two (2) years of progressively higher-level graduate education, or masters or equivalent graduate degree, or LL.B. or J.D., in a related field of the position to be filled. Education at the graduate level must have been obtained in an accredited college or university and must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of the first year (18 semester hours) may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-09 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

You may qualify at the GS-11 grade level based on your experience and/or education as described below:

• Specialized Experience GS-11: You must have one (1) year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-09 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: managing a program of volunteers and contributing organizations within a medical or hospital setting; development and implementation of a detailed marketing plan for a specialized program; managing a program service budget and managing a donation needs list of an organization; utilizes laws and regulations governing the General Post Fund and solicitation and acceptance of donated gifts; and understanding and applying personnel management practices for interviewing, screening, placing, and counseling purposes. OR,
• Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have successfully completed a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree, or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree, or an LL.M. if related that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of this position. NOTE: Transcripts must be submitted with application. Education cannot be credited without documentation. OR,
• Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must have an combination of specialized experience and education in excess of a master's or equivalent graduate education may be used to qualify applicants for the GS-11 level. NOTE: If using education combined with specialized experience to qualify, a copy of your transcript is required.

Preferred Experience: Applicants with two (2) or more years within a non-profit setting, managing volunteers and donations. Experience applying the principles, procedures and requirements for control and command of obligations and expenditures for donated funds.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but not limited to:

• Assisting in all aspects of the development, coordination, and management of the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Office and is responsible for independent management of specific programs or portions of larger programs.
• Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing short and long-range plans for the accomplishment of CDCE/Voluntary Service program goals and objectives; develops and implements programs and program changes to meet the facilities' or other VA-affiliated program's needs.
• Assisting the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer in developing innovative/creative community outreach programs that provide volunteers and financial resources.
• Developing and fostering a robust network with internal and external stakeholders to build resilient working coalitions in support of the VA mission.
• Developing and delivering presentations to diverse groups within the facility and at off-site locations within the community.
• Responsible for interviewing, scheduling, placement, and evaluation of volunteers.
• Responsible for conducting appropriate follow up activities to ensure both adequate supervision and assignment training are provided.
• Resolves issues as they arise and consults with the CDCE/Voluntary Service Officer if policies or procedures require review and/or revision.
• Preparing all volunteer personnel files in accordance with The Joint Commission and standards for VHA volunteers.
• Consulting with services across the health care system, agency representatives (including VHA, VBA, and NCA), and community officials to publicize, analyze, and recommend improvements for programs.
• Conducting fact-findings and analysis to recommend potential community partnerships that support and extend the mission of the facility or other affiliated VA programs across Administrations within the catchment area.
• Responsible for the coordination and management of all monetary and in-kind donations.
• Managing the day-to-day operations surrounding the organization's development activities and conducts and analyzes routine needs assessments to ensure alignment with the facility's strategic plan.
• Developing tax deductibility documentation for all donations received.
• Providing education and training to staff on the proper use of donation expenditures, restricted purchases and procurement requirements.
• Plans and executes a variety of complex internal and external special events, including VISN-wide and national events where the local facility is a key host or sponsor, or responsible for securing major monetary or in-kind donations and volunteer support.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Promotion Potential: The selectee may be promoted to the full performance level without further competition when all regulatory, qualification, and performance requirements are met. Selection at a lower grade level does not guarantee promotion to the full performance level.

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible: Not Authorized
Telework: Not Authorized
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Position Description/PD#: Voluntary Services Specialist/PD99853S
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

The VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical Centers. This is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullest. As an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care, you will operate in a model with three core elements, seeking to create a personalized health plan for each Veteran. This is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's community. This aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

Salary : $55,012